Thorne’s Pre-Workout Elite is not your average pre-workout supplement. Packed with unique ingredients, this formula supports your workout from beginning to end, and even beyond, with botanicals that benefit cellular energy production, power output, cognitive focus, and recovery.* Let’s take a closer look at the botanicals that power Pre-Workout Elite.

The mushrooms

Pre-Workout Elite contains a blend of six mushrooms called PeakO2. These mushrooms have adaptogenic properties – meaning they help the body adapt to physical and mental stress* – something from which we can all benefit. The PeakO2 blend has been studied for its ability to support oxygen utilization during exercise, which is necessary for the body’s natural production of ATP (cellular fuel).* This helps extend time-to-exhaustion during exercise and promotes increased muscle power output and strength.* Each mushroom in the PeakO2 formula has its individual health benefits as well.

Cordyceps militaris, or caterpillar mushroom, is a fungus that grows on caterpillars in certain mountainous regions in Asia and was first discovered in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine 2,000 years ago. Historically, Cordyceps has been used to support stamina and vitality.*

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine and was the first mushroom to make waves in modern biotechnology. Previous studies have shown daily consumption of shiitake mushrooms is beneficial to immune system function by several mechanisms, notably by increasing secretory IgA production, the first line of defense in the digestive tract and along other mucosal surfaces.*

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is another mushroom with more than 2,000 years of traditional medicinal use. Reishi grows in temperate and subtropical climates and has been found growing wild in California and Utah, although it is not native to the United States. Some of the human studies on reishi have investigated its benefits for immune function, for its antioxidant effects, and for metabolic support.*

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) was first cultivated in 1988, although the wild-foraged mushroom has been used for centuries. Lion’s mane is sometimes called “the smart mushroom,” a nod to its benefits in promoting healthy brain function.*

King trumpet (Pleurotus eryngii) mushrooms are the largest in the oyster mushroom family. Their thick white stems and golden-brown caps are easy to spot, making them a popular culinary mushroom. King trumpet mushrooms are high in antioxidants and a good source of several B vitamins, including niacin and riboflavin.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a common mushroom in forests all over the world and can be spotted on living or dead trees year-round. If you’ve gone hiking in wooded areas, especially during a damp, rainy season, then you’ve probably noticed shelves of turkey tail and the many-colored bands on their surface giving it the name versicolor. The first recorded writings of turkey tail are from 200 BCE. Along with its adaptogenic qualities, turkey tail also benefits immune function and metabolic function.*

The tea

Guayusa (pronounced gwhy-you-sah) is a holly tree native to the Amazon rainforest that is cultivated in traditional agroforests and harvested primarily in Ecuador. Guayusa leaves have been used as a tea and traded since at least 500 BCE.

Historically, guayusa has had a variety of traditional uses, many unique to the individual indigenous groups throughout the Amazon region. It has mainly been consumed as an uplifting beverage, largely due to its natural caffeine content. Guayusa also contains antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, as well as flavonoids and xanthines.  

The guayusa leaf in Pre-Workout Elite is responsibly, ethically, and sustainably sourced through a partnership with indigenous-run cooperatives that support independent farming families in the Amazon basin. It utilizes a patented extraction process that reduces jitters and other side effects common to caffeine.

Guayusa leaf extract has several benefits for athletes, including support for physical and mental energy, improved reaction time and focus during exercise, and enhanced blood flow for optimized performance and recovery.*

The fruit tree

Whether in smoothies, salsa, sticky rice, or just to snack on by itself, mango is a delightful fruit. However, it’s not just the fruit of the tree that can be consumed. Did you know the mango leaf (Mangifera indica) has health-promoting properties, too? Young green mango leaves can be cooked and eaten or brewed as a nutritious tea.

The leaves of the mango tree contain protein, essential oils, minerals (potassium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, calcium, and magnesium), vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E), and antioxidants, like mangiferin. The mango leaf extract in Pre-Workout Elite is standardized to 60-percent mangiferin, lending antioxidant support to the formula.* It benefits athletes by supporting reaction time and helping boost mental and physical energy.*

The flower

Quercetin is a flavonoid (antioxidant) found in fruits, vegetables, leaves, seeds, and grains. Some of its most common food sources are onions, citrus fruits, dark berries, tea, and red wine. Pre-Workout Elite contains quercetin from the flower buds of the Sophora japonica plant and utilizes phytosome technology to enhance its absorption.

As an antioxidant, quercetin supports a healthy inflammatory balance in the body, plays a role in healthy aging, supports seasonal allergy sufferers, and benefits the respiratory tract.* For athletes, quercetin shines when combined with mango leaf extract. Clinical studies indicate this combo supports mental focus and reaction time, benefits power output, and boosts recovery and repair after exercise.*

If you like botanical formulas, then check out some of Thorne’s other herbal extract-containing products, such as NSF Certified for Sport® Curcumin Phytosome, EnteroMend®, and Multi-Vitamin Elite. You might also enjoy these Take 5 Daily articles that focus on teas and other herbal extracts: